We couldn't stay in that subspace forever, so we returned to the Hydra Kingdom immediately after finishing our drinks. Alice clung to my hand, her face still flushed a deep crimson from lingering embarrassment.
I swear, I didn't do anything untoward. We really did just share a drink.
"Alice, I have to ask... are you okay?"
"Heh... don't underestimate me. I've taken a fatal wound."
"You're way too fragile..."
"I told you, didn't I? I’m a romance bottom-tier. Anyway, I’d like the next activity to be something with a lower mental burden."
"I haven't exactly been forcing mental burdens on you... but sure, whatever you say."
By "mental burden," Alice clearly meant she wanted me to spare her from any more heart-pounding romantic scenarios. And yet, she had obviously enjoyed sharing the drink.
Because she loved classic romantic tropes, she had been stiff as a board at first, but she had looked genuinely happy and smiley while we were actually drinking. The problem was that the "Alice experience" was a package deal: she enjoyed the moment, then took massive emotional damage once she started overthinking it afterward. Even now, while her face was red, she didn't let go of my hand, and her expression seemed quite cheerful beneath the blush.
"By the way, changing the subject—the Founding Anniversary Festival has been surprisingly peaceful so far, hasn't it? I mean, the release of the message from the First Hero was a massive event, but nothing has really disrupted our time together."
"That's because, fundamentally, as long as those two Gods who live outside the bounds of common sense don't make a move, things stay under control. Even with all the Six Kings and Supreme Gods in attendance, everything proceeds according to the prior arrangements. The organizers prepared the festival specifically to host people of that stature, so as long as there are no unforeseen variables..."
"I see..."
Now that she mentioned it, the chaos at the Kingdom of Sinfonia had only happened because it was the first time all the Six Kings had ever gathered in one place. Lilliwood and the others had already been scheduled to attend. The Arclesia Empire had been a similar story.
Looking back, the only real disruption I could remember during the ceremonies was when Megiddo barged in.
"The two Gods are our biggest concern, but since their objective is one hundred percent Kaito-san, the chances of them showing up are low unless you decide to open a stall or something. In that sense, it's hard for a major uproar to occur. Ah, but... my condolences regarding your next date."
"Oh, right... next, I'm going around with Shiro-san. Wait a minute. I was so overwhelmed by the talk about parallel worlds that I didn't think about it, but... isn't Shiro-san touring the festival an inherently dangerous situation?"
"Incredibly dangerous. And allow me to give you some more bad news. It's too late to fix this now... She’ll likely create a parallel world based on the start date of the Founding Anniversary Festival. Even if you tried to warn Laguna now, that information wouldn't be passed to the version of Laguna existing in the timeline where you're with Shallow Vernal-sama."
"I see. It's over for me..."
The current peace was a fleeting illusion. The next part of my schedule was practically guaranteed to be a descent into hellish chaos. It would probably overshadow the message from the First Hero entirely.
"N-No, wait. Surely even Shiro-san has considered that and prepared some countermeasures, right?"
"Hmm. It’s possible. The current Shallow Vernal-sama is perfectly aware of the chaos her presence causes. If everyone around her is in a panic, she won't be able to have a fun time with you, which goes against her own interests."
That was true. Shiro-san’s goal was to enjoy the festival with me. Therefore, she should be motivated to avoid any situation that would cause a total meltdown... After all, if that happened, we wouldn't be able to do much festival-touring.
(Ah... Hmph. Rest assured. I have, of course, prepared proper countermeasures.)
Wait, her reaction just now felt like she had "completely forgotten" until this very second... Well, Shiro-san existed beyond the logic of parallel worlds, so it seemed like she would have everything sorted out by tomorrow—or rather, by the time our date began.
Serious-senpai: "Phew... Y-Yes. Calm down. I must stay calm. I need to slowly, gradually lower the sugar content. A sudden spike is dangerous... Deep breaths..."
Machina: "Hmm... If Serious-senpai is saying that, then next time..."